Sometimes
it can feel that we are on our own, even though we are Christians. We try to
tough it out down here in our own strength. Situations and circumstances can
arise to try us, but we are not alone. God said He would never leave us or
forsake us and that He is our helper (Heb 13:5-6).
It’s
true that adversity will come our way, we are not immune to it but be
encouraged, Jesus said we have peace in Him and He has overcome the world (John
16:33). Paul told us that God will keep us (2 Tim 1:12), complete what He has
begun in us (Phil 1:6) and that His grace (unmerited favor and power to
succeed) is sufficient for us (2 Cor 12:9).
Nothing
is too hard for God (Jer 32:27). Paul lectured the Galatians for trying to do
things in the flesh and not the Spirit (Gal 3:3). The only work God ever told
us to do is to believe (John 6:29). Believe God is for you, believe He is in
you as the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4). Rest in God (Matt 11:28), still your mind in
God’s Word (Rom 12:2) and allow the Holy Spirit to minister to you. “For to be
carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” (Rom
8:6; KJV).
The
Holy Spirit is our comforter (Acts 9:31), (one who pulls alongside to assist,
to strengthen and encourage); He is the power of God to work on our behalf (Rom
8:11). Go to God’s word for your answers; the Holy Spirit will reveal them to
you (John 14:26). “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am
thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee
with the right hand of my righteousness” (Isa 41:10; KJV).
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is the link to the promotional video for our book: “On the way: Basic Christian
training” https://youtu.be/ZsxYJaLSX4c
What
should be our focus and how should we live as Christians? I have often heard it
said that we can be so heavenly minded as to be no earthly good or so earthly
focused to be no heavenly good.
Colossians
is a good place to start for some answers: “If ye then be risen with Christ,
seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of
God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” (KJV; Col
3:1-2); well that’s pretty clear.
In
second Corinthians chapter 6 and verse 17 we are told to come out from the
non-Christians in the world and be separate; that basically means not to follow
the same life style. But we are not told to leave the world (1 Cor 5:10), we
need to go where the non-Christians are as we are to be Light to them (Matt
5:14).
If
we are to be light, the non-Christians need to see us, need to see our Godly
life style, our good works and especially our love. The word says that God will
show His manifold wisdom to the world through us (Ex 34:14), in other words, we
don’t hide in our homes and churches.
So,
can we have stuff or are we to focus on ministry and have nothing? God says He
will provide all of our need if we seek Him first (Matt 6:33). God is a jealous
God, He wants us and wants to be our focus; as we keep our eyes on Him He will
bless us with an abundant life. (John 10:10). That word life is the kind of
life that God lives and enjoys; wow, that sounds good to me.
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book: ``On the Way: Basic Christian Training``: https://youtu.be/ZsxYJaLSX4c
“This Book of the Law shall not depart out of
thy mouth; but thou shall meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest
observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt
make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success” (KJV; Josh
1:8-9).
In
the old Testament men and women lived under a law they could never completely
keep, but God was merciful and blessed them when their hearts were right toward
Him. This was their relationship with Him. As Christians, if we have given our
lives to Jesus, we have Christ in us (Gal 2:20) and through His death we were
justified (made just as if we had never sinned) (Rom 3:24).
We
are new creations in Christ Jesus (2 Cor 5:17), we have His forgiveness (Eph
1:7). We no longer live under the law, driven by the dictates of the flesh, but
by faith we live in obedience to God as the Spirit leads us (Rom 8:1-2).
We
are redeemed (purchased at a great price) from the curse of the law, poverty,
sickness and death! (Gal 3:13) God has adopted us as His children (Rom 8:15), He
is our Abba Father (Daddy). He has taken us out of the power and authority of
darkness into His wonderful kingdom of light (Col 1:13-14). We are more than
conquerors in Jesus (Rom 8:37).
Let’s
commit to grow into all God has for us. If we press into Him, spending time in
his word and prayer, He will work in us through His word and power to change,
transform, use and bless us (James 4:7-8; Phil 1:6).
Here is the link to a promotional video about our
book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training” just click: https://youtu.be/ZsxYJaLSX4c
Have
you ever thought much about the effects our words have? The book of Proverbs
has a lot of verses on our words. In Proverbs 18:21 it says: "death and
life are in the power of the tongue"; ouch!
Our
words can edify, encourage and build up or hurt and tear down. Furthermore, in
Matthew 12:34, we are told that when we speak, we speak what’s in our heart. In
other words, what’s in us will come out over time. Words once spoken can never
be taken back, even if we plead that we did not mean it, or were just joking.
This
is not to say that our words should always be warm and fuzzy; Jesus confronted
when he needed to but it was always in love and to bring revelation and life.
"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver" (Prov
25:11).
Let us
walk in love and choose our words carefully.
Here
is the link to a promotional video about our book: “On the Way: Basic Christian
Training” just click: https://youtu.be/ZsxYJaLSX4c
“How
beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings,
that publisheth peace; that bringeth
good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; and that saith unto Zion, Thy
God reigneth”! (Isa 52:7; KJV)
Paul
uses this beautiful verse in his letter to the Romans as an exhortation to
evangelism (Rom 10:15). He asks how non-Christians can believe if no one ever
goes to tell them about Jesus and all that Jesus did for them (Rom 10:14-15).
We are all ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor 5: 20) and God wants to reach people
through us.
As
Christians, God has given each of us the ministry of reconciliation. (2 Cor
5:11) We are to explain the route to relationship with God to those God brings
across our path. In fact, God commanded us to go to all the world and preach
the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15). He told us to make disciples of
every nation (Matt 28:19).
Ask
God to give you a divine appointment each day to share the love of God and His
word with someone. Don’t be afraid, He will give you the words to say! (Matt
10:19) Just do it.
Not
everyone will receive Christ the first time a Christian shares with them;
someone will sow the word, others water and cultivate and yet others reap the
harvest (1Cor 3:6). We just need to hear from God and do our part. Sharing
Jesus is so much fun for us and for the angels in heaven (Luke 15:7).